Former Australia captain Steve Waugh is seeking to conquer cricket's "last great frontier" as one of the investors in a new European T20 franchise competition set to feature Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh. Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, a global T20 star, is one of the owners of the Belfast team. Waugh, 60, said the Amsterdam Flames had already signed Australia great Smith and Marsh, who is Australia's T20 captain. Former Australia skipper Waugh, who scored nearly 11,000 Test runs, said the opportunity to invest in the venture "stood out because it is driven by aspiration and long-term thinking". "This is about helping uphold the standards and spirit of cricket while supporting its growth into Europe, which remains the game's last great frontier."

The University Teachers’ Network has demanded the immediate reinstatement of two faculty members dismissed from the University of Asia Pacific (UAP), alleging that the decision was influenced by a “mob” and violated academic freedom. The Teachers’ Network presented four key demands:Immediate reinstatement of the dismissed teachers and protection of staff and students opposing the decision. Cessation of threats against university teachers and staff, with implementation of unified service rules for job security. Highlighting the broader context, they said Bangladesh is facing a prolonged crisis of academic freedom, with powerful groups suppressing dissent and enforcing conformity. “The dismissal of the two UAP teachers is the latest example.”According to the Teachers’ Network, Laika Bashir had posted on Facebook due to security concerns, not from a religious perspective.

Md Abu Naser, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Chattogram-8, has decided to withdraw from the race, even after the official deadline for candidate withdrawal had passed. His decision to quit the race was revealed on Wednesday at a press conference at the Chattogram Metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami office by the unit’s Assistant Secretary Md Morshedul Islam Chowdhury. Morshedul, serving as the election coordinator for Chattogram-8, said: “In line with the party’s decision and to maintain unity in the coalition, Abu Naser has chosen to step aside from the Feb 12 election in support of the NCP candidate.”

A driver’s assistant for Victor Paribahan died after being crushed between two buses operated by Ajmeri and Victor Paribahan in front of Khaddar Market in Paltan area of the the capital, early Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Md Ilias Hossain, 25,Following the incident, the drivers of both buses were taken into custody by Paltan police. The accident occurred around 12:30am, said Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost. The victim’s sister, Rokhsana Akhter, said: “We learned that he was seriously injured after being crushed between two buses in front of Khaddar Market. He was later rescued in critical condition and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.”Md Faruk added that the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and that the relevant police station has been informed.

Photo: freepikDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) – Speakers at a workshop today stressed the need for sustainable financing to prevent hypertension. The journalists’ workshop titled “Hypertension Control: Progress, Barriers, and the Way Forward”, was held at the BMA Bhaban in the capital. The speakers said ensuring the regular availability of anti-hypertensive medicines at all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes through sustainable financing would enable effective control of hypertension and hypertension - induced non-communicable diseases. A presentation on hypertension control was made by PROGGA’s Programme Officer, Samiha Bintay Kamal. Due to inadequate budget allocation, the regular supply of anti-hypertensive drugs at NCD corners of Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes is being disrupted.

Photo: CollectedMELBOURNE, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz fended off a series of "bombs" before surging into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday, where he was joined by Aryna Sabalenka and a near-flawless Coco Gauff. Alexander Zverev, the third seed well beaten in last year's final by Jannik Sinner, also went through in four sets. Spanish superstar Alcaraz came through 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena against hard-hitting German Yannick Hanfmann to take another step towards a career Grand Slam. The break failed to derail the German's victory charge, which resumed under a closed roof, as he won 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Third seed Gauff was clinical against Serbia's Olga Danilovic, who ended Venus Williams's tournament in round one.

A three-day art exhibition titled “Art for Equality” opened Wednesday at the University of Dhaka, accompanied by a digital catalogue. The event was organized by the Department of Art History, Faculty of Fine Art. Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, vice chancellor of the University of Dhaka, inaugurated the exhibition. Shake Manir Uddin, chairman of the Department of Art History and Curator of the exhibition, presided over the event. The exhibition follows a November 14–15 workshop with 90 participants from nine universities, including Dhaka, Jagannath, Jahangirnagar, Khulna, Rajshahi, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Dhaka Art College, Narayanganj Fine Art Institute, and Jessore S. M. Sultan Art College.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS)- AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju has been allotted the party’s Eagle electoral symbol for the Feni-2 (Sadar) constituency. After receiving the symbol, Manju told the media that he firmly believes he will secure the people’s mandate if a free and fair election is held. Referring to Mojibur Rahman Manju as his own candidate, he said he would work with all his strength to ensure Manju’s victory. Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, AB Party, NCP and other members of the 10-party alliance were present.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media today at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon. Later, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media about the meeting at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon. Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were present at the briefing. About the law and order, the press secretary said district and upazila-level law and order committees have been formed ahead of the polls. The meeting was informed that more than 100,000 members of the Bangladesh Army will be deployed during the election, Shafiqul Alam said.

Don’t let your career mood hinge on other’s choices. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A partner or counterpart could have the answer you need ready to go. Don’t let yourself get discouraged about a situation needing improved cooperation, this one may need time to resolve, try to let it go for now. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If you’ve even wanted to step up as a mentor, now could be an excellent time. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You might know exactly what to do with a domestic situation, the fix could be approved of by all.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) told the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) at a board meeting on Wednesday that Bangladesh could be replaced at the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup if the team continues to refuse to travel to India for its scheduled matches, reported ESPNCricinfo. The ICC has asked the BCB to convey to the Bangladesh government that failure to agree to play in India would trigger Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament. The issue was subsequently put to a vote at the ICC Board, where a majority of members supported the option of replacing Bangladesh if the impasse persists. The developments came as the ICC Board meeting began earlier today to decide on the standoff with the BCB. The situation intensified overnight after reports emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had written to the ICC expressing support for Bangladesh’s stance on not playing in India.

A woman has staged a solo protest at the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University after being harassed on a bus, calling such incidents a “social disease” and seeking to raise awareness. Sidratul Muntaha Rahman Tibro held the protest at the base of the sculpture around on Tuesday, with several like-minded individuals joining in solidarity. Tibro told Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday that she was harassed on Monday while traveling to Shahbagh on a Ramjan Paribahan bus. She filed a complaint at Dhanmondi Model Police Station, and the alleged perpetrator was handed over to authorities. Explaining her protest, Tibro said: “These kinds of sexual harassment incidents happen constantly, and we’re not seeing any resolution.

Reading time: about 2 minutesIn May 1941, Kurt Vonnegut was an opinion columnist for The Sun. My new column, Campus Dialectic, will not teach you how to find the “real news” in the news. I thank Elf for showing me that valuable work can be done in the opinion department, where Campus Dialectic will call home. Eric Han Eric Han is a member of the Class of 2026 in the College of Arts and Sciences. His monthly column, Campus Dialectic, reviews recent Sun op-eds to speculate on cultural and political issues.

The lawsuit alleges that the schools conspired to reduce financial aid and favor wealthy students. Specifically, the plaintiffs argue that Cornell and other universities worked together to ensure that financial aid pricing was similar between institutions. The section was an exemption to the Sherman Antitrust Act that allowed need-blind institutions to collaborate on financial aid principles to ensure financial aid was similar among universities. Many universities, including Yale, Duke and Columbia, have already agreed to settlements over allegations of financial aid misconduct, with total amounts currently reaching nearly $320 million. That suit instead alleged coordination of financial aid practices through the College Board’s College Service Scholarship Program.

Mancha 24 has expressed concern over the fairness of the upcoming national election, citing a persistent culture of impunity. Mancha 24 convener Fahim Faruqi made the remarks at a press conference in front of Madhur Canteen at Dhaka University on Wednesday. He called loan defaulters “thieves” and warned that no defaulter would be allowed into parliament, adding that resistance would be formed with bamboo sticks if necessary. Faruqi also alleged a Chhatra League leader threatened a Mancha 24 organizer and criticized arrests of government critics while real perpetrators remain free. Mancha 24 organizer Lt Col (retd) Hasinur Rahman called elections involving dual citizens and foreign nationals “shameful,” while Major Rabbi Shahin warned the election could turn violent due to lack of preparation against thuggery.